I am a plastic surgeon in Little Rock, AR. I used to "suture for a living", I continue "to live to sew". These days most of my sewing is piecing quilts. I love the patterns and interplay of the fabric color. I would like to explore writing about medical/surgical topics as well as sewing/quilting topics. I will do my best to make sure both are represented accurately as I share with both colleagues and the general public.

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Saturday, June 28, 2008

This is a repeat of the post I did last July 2. I wish you all a safe and happy July 4th.

I love watching fireworks explode and light up the night sky. I do not like to take care of the injuries that they can cause. So please use the following tips to keep yourself and your children safe this July 4th (or consider leaving the fireworks to the experts and just enjoy the show):

Never allow children to play with or ignite fireworks.

Read and follow all warnings and instructions.

Fireworks should be unpacked from any paper packing out-of-doors and away from any open flames.

Be sure other people are out-of-range before lighting fireworks. Small children should be kept a safe distance from the fireworks; older children that use fireworks need to be carefully supervised.

Do not smoke when handling any type of "live" firecracker, rocket, or aerial display.

Keep all fireworks away from any flammable liquids, dry grassy areas, or open bonfires.

Keep a bucket of water or working garden hose nearby in case of a malfunction or fire.

Take note of any sudden wind change that could cause sparks or debris to fall on a car, house, or person.

Never attempt to pick up and relight a "fizzled" firework device that has failed to light or "go off"

Do not use any aluminum or metal soda/beer can or glass bottle to stage or hold fireworks before lighting.

Do not use any tightly closed container for these lighted devices to add to the exploding effect or to increase noise.

Never attempt to make your own exploding device from raw gunpowder or similar flammable substance. The results are too unpredictable.

Never use mail-order fireworks kits. These do-it-yourself kits are simply unsafe.

If you need more information on the injuries that can occur, check out these sites:
Indian Hand Center
Reflections by Dr. Bruce Campbell---5th of July
Fireworks Related Injuries by the CDC
Prevent Blindness America

Disclaimer

My purpose in writing my blog is to attempt to provide good solid medical information on topics of my choosing. It is a way to educate myself, my colleagues, and the general public. References will be provided on medical posts, but not on opinion essays or poetry posts. An additional purpose is to share my interest in quilting topics, a way to show my human side.

Any medical information provided by this site is not a replacement for medical diagnosis, treatment, or professional medical advice. It should not be used to treat or diagnose any medical condition. Always seek professional medical consultation by a licensed physician for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions - please, do not ignore your doctor's medical advice based on information written by the author or commenters of this site. Please do not ask me for medical advice, but instead contact a healthcare provider in your area. Anything written about office/hospital situations/events are fictional examples to get a point across. No patient is/will ever be a specific patient (unless given written permission), but a fictional one. To know more about how I handle medical information about patients please link here. Unless, I am praising a colleague, even those will be fictional. Any similarities to you or people you know is purely coincidental. My husband and I, and our dogs are fair game.

In early 2009 I joined the Better Health Network. As part of that Network, I will occasionally be paid for my writing. Those posts will be clearly noted. I will strive to maintain my high ethical standards. If I add any advertising, it will be clearly marked as such.

Privacy Principles

I do not intend to use this blog to collect or dispense private health information on patients. If any patient is used as an explicit example for a posting, I will get that patient's consent in writing to use their story and/or photo. The office is permitted by federal privacy laws to make uses and disclosures of your health information for purposes of treatment, payment, and health care operations. However, that is not the intent of this blog. I intend to share information on medical/quilting topics with the general public and my colleagues. This web site does not share or sell any personal information, including your name, address, or email addresses with third parties. Have a blessed day!